Louver wire feeding device



Nov. 22, 1955 R. A. CHRISTY LOUVER WIRE FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 22,1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 j@ MR G f5 a2 Ja@ n H4 Nov. 22, 1955 R. A. CHRISTYLOUVER WIRE FEEDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1951 w mw kA: Ill

@Eid C? @am p p ,2,724,591 i LoUvER,wIREplurEDING.DEVICE` 1 Robert1.A.\"Christy,` *ParkfForesh 'lll.,`..assignors5 t0"Borg 1i Warner`Corporation,f ChicagogwIll., la corporation `of yIllinois n1`he.present. inventionf relates in `its broadest` aspects to webVfeeding devicesandrmore` particularly .to an arrangement or device forcontrolling the supply. of` thin,

tlat, flexible metal wire maintained `in.a storage bin.

The principal objectyof the present .invention is to provide means forcontrollingthe supply .of` flat metal wire maintained ina storagebinfrom4 which theiwire is intert mittently withdrawn, `so that thequantity. of `wire is ...sufficient to `permit the .intermittentwithdrawal :thereof from the binwithout allowing .the wire-.toaccumulatein `.the binso that it might be deformed beyond. its elastic limit. i

. Another object of. the present. invention `is `to provide a` feedingdevice" `for feeding wirefinto` a. storageA bin, t wherein theutee'ding`device. is` capable tof .supplying the wire at. a high .feed rate -when,the quantity of, wire i within `:the bin is-below;a predetermined.amount,` and ata-.low

` `feedrate when the quantity ofwire within the bin isabove apredetermined amount.

Another. objectofI the inventionis .to provide a device for` sensing thequantity ofif'wire inthe storage 4bin and when the quantity lis above a`predetermined `amount to cause .the wire `tobe fed finto the bin.atallowrate and t `when the quantity `of .wireinnt'he bin is below apredetermined-.amount tocause the wire to be fed into .the bin at a highrate.

Another object Iof` thenpresent` invention 4is to provide al device forconstantly feeding acontinuous wire into a "storage bin, ,wherein the`feeding device is` driven by .a reciproc'able motorhavingajvariablediameterdrive pulley. In Athis connection, the Vinotorrnay bemoved `inone `direction whereby `the "diameter ofthe drive` pulley isfdecreasedin order. to effecta low feed` rate foi-the wire,

and 'may be -moved fin the Aopposite .direction to increase theLdiameter `of the drive pulleyl int order `to .increase the rateat whichthe Wirefis fedinto thestorage bin.

Another object `of the invention. is .to` provide .fluid pressureresponsive means ,for movingthe driving motor into either its, low .feedrate. or high feed. rate position and to provide control meansfor thefluid pressure respond sive means,.which control means are responsiveto` the `quantity `of wire ,inythe .storage bin.

Another object of. the `inventioriis `.to provide, in .the

. control means for moving the; motor `to either its` high feed rateorlow feed rate position,.delaying devices which ,4 preventmovement ofthe motorfrom one .ofitsipositions to the other` and a'consequent.changeainfthewire feed rate until a condition of under-supply or.over-supply `of -wire in .-the storage'bin prevails for. apredeterminedinterval of time. `In .this connection apair offcontrolrelays are, .provided with f associated condensers .for delaying adeenergizationbf ther relays so` asto cause.a changesin the .wire feed:rate which .fwouldmormlly `take. place. .in

` accordance withthe]` quantity `of wire inthe storage bin es sensed bythe wiresensing means.

Due to the `fact that the wiretis Iintermittently withdrawn from thestorage'binand continuously fed.`there into, .infrequently happensthat-the wire bounces against the sensing means, very rapidly engagingand disengaging it. *lf the driving motorfreciprocatingmeans were,actuated'finresponse to; eachfengagemjent Aand?, disengagement ICC4between the wire and the sensingmeans, themotor would "be inacontinuous state of reciprocation.` .This undesir- `able state of.conditions, however, is prevented `by the delaying devices. and eachwire .feed rate prevails fortat least a predetermined:.interval of time.

The present invention finds particular utility in the weaving machineart,l as exemplified bythe U. S. patent to W. B. Ewing, 2,223,317,wherein longtlengths of athin flat louver wire .are intermittently .fedinto the weaving machine. ln weaving machinestof this type it isessential that the louverwires be straight and have substantially nobends throughout .their entire lengths, for in case-the wires are bent.,the friction between `them and the operating-parts ci machine, throughwhich they must pass, is suliicient to `stop the wires before they reachthe proper position and in such-case the` weaving machine will notfunction properly. The `present inventiontherefore solves along existentproblem in a simpleand convenient mannerby providing a storage bin `forthe; louver wire` and control` mechanism for the device `for feeding thewire into the storage bin which maintains` a sufficient quantity of wirein the `bin attall times to satisfy the requirements of the weavingmachine with which the present invention may he associated and `whichmaintains a sufficiently small amount of louver wire in the storage binso that the wire will not be permanently bent.

The above and numerous other objects and advantages off the presentinvention will become apparent from .the following detailed descriptionwhen read in` conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate apreferred embodiment of the` inventiom wherein:

Fig. i` is a more or lessschematic illustration. showing lthe storagebin in planl View and the electrical and fluid pressure responsivecontrol means rfor controlling `the reciprocation of the `driving motor;

Fig. 2 is a sectional viewttaken substantially along the line 2--2 inFig. l and showing theA driving motor and the `associated weavingmachine for utilizing the louver wire stored in the storage' bin;

. Fig. 3` is a fragmentary side elevational view, 4shown partly insection, and taken substantially alongfthe line 33 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of .thelouver wire feedrollers.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, as exemplied by`theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference `numerals in the.different views identifyidentical cludes a housing 'l5 rigidly mountedin a suitable manner on a frame 16 and suitably disposed within thehousing4 15 is a set of gearing (not shownin detail) for transmittingrotary motion from a pulley 17 to a pair of attening and feeding rollers18j The iiattening and feeding rollers 18 .are respectivelydriven incounterclockwise and` clockwise directions, as indicatedby the arrows`in Fig..` l,` in order to advance a round metallic wire i9therebetween. The rollers 1S are sufficiently close together so astofnot onlyengage and advancethe wire, but also tocompress the wire 19to form a substantially flat elongated louver wire Ztl. The wire 19 maybe drawn from a supply reel (not shown) having a large supplyof the wirethereon and forthe purposes of the present .invention it can beconsideredfthatlthe wire" 19 is substantially continuous.

Also, for the purposes of the presentinvention, itmay be considered thatthe at louver wire 20 is also substantially continuous.

The plane of the louver wire 20, upon emerging from vbetween the rollers18, is vertical and as it emerges it passes into the storage bin 12. yAsis most clearly shown in Fig. 2, the storage bin 12 comprisessubstantially flat top and bottom members identified by referencenumerals f 21 and 22, respectively, and the top member 21 of the storagebin 12 is substantially parallel to the bottom member 22, the members 21and 22 being spaced apart by a distance only slightly greater than thewidth of the louver bin 12 of a transparent material the disposition ofthe f louver wire within the bin 12 may be readily seen. A

contact plate 23 is disposed at one end of the bin and is electricallyinsulated from all parts of the bin 12 by means of an insulator strip24. The storage bin 12 has a louver wire exit opening 25 in the cornerof the bin diametrically opposite to an entrance opening 26 throughwhich the louverwire 20 passes as it comes into the storage bin 12.

A block 27, mounted outside the bin 12 and adjacent the exit opening 25,has one corner rounded olf, as indicated at 28, and acts as a guide forthe louver wire 20 after it leaves the storage bin 12 and until itreaches a pair of weaving machine feed rolls 29 and 30. It will be notedthat the rounded corner 28 of the block 27 is substantially tangent tothe line of travel of the louver wire 20 as it leaves the storage bin 12and is also substantially tangent to the line of travel of the louverwire 20 in passing from contact with the block 27 into the feed rolls 29and 30. The radius of curvature of the rounded off corner 28 of theblock 27 is suiciently great so that the louver wire 20 is not bentbeyond the limit of its elasticity. Itis contemplated that the feedrolls 29 and 30 will operate so as to intermittently withdraw louverwire 20 from the storage bin 12 in order to advance the louver wire 20into the weaving machine 14. It is further contemplated that the feedrollers 18 will function to continuously feed the louver wire 20 intothe storage bin 12.

It has been found through experience that a prime source of troubleencountered in the weaving of screens employing liat louver wiresresults from the fact that the louver wire is bent slightly, and whenthis occurs friction, due to contact between the louver wire and theflat sides of the slot in the weaving machine through which the rolls 29and 30 advance the louver wire, is so great as to prevent the completeadvance of the louver wire through the entire length of the slot. Insuch cases the weaving machines jam and break down, with a considerableloss of operating time before they can again be placed in operatingcondition. It has thus been found that if the louver wire can be Amaintained straight while being advanced into the weaving machine bythefeed rolls 29 and 30 a great number of break-downs of the weavingmachines are avoided. The rounded corner 28 of the guide block 27eliminates any bending of the louver wire 20 as it passes from thestorage bin to the feed rolls 29 and 30 and the disposition of theentrance and exit slots 26 and 25 in the storage bin 12 also aid inpreventing the formation of permanent bends in the louver wirev 20.

Besides the contact plate 23, a number of louver wire Y directingblocks, each of which is made of a noneconducting plastic, 'are disposedwithin the storage bin 12 for ldirecting the louver wire 20 in such amanner as to prevent the formation of permanent bends or kinks therein.The first one of these blocks comprises a generally rectangular plasticblock 31 having one side 32 disposed in substantially parallel relationwith the one side of the f storage bin 12. The space between the side 32of the block 31 and the side of the storage bin 12 is rather narrow butkquite sucient to permit the passage ofthe louver wire 20 therebetween.The block 31 has a rounded corner 33 for preventing theformation ofpermanent bends in the louver wire 20 if the louver wire should happento be pulled around this corner 33. As will be noted, the guide-wayformed by the side 32 of the block 31 and the side of the bin 12 servesto direct the louver wire 20 alongone' side of the bin toward thecontact plate 23. Disposed in substantially parallel relation to theopposite side of the storage bin 12 is an elongated plastic guide block34, with suicient space being provided between the block 34 and the sideof the bin 12 to permit the passage of the louver wire 20 therebetweenas it leaves the storage bin 12 through the exit slot 25. The end of theguide block 34 opposite the exit slot 25 is rounded off as indicated at35, toprevent the formation of permanent bends in the louver wire 20 asit is drawn around the end 35 of the guide block 34 when the feed rolls29 and 30 feed the louver wire 20 into the weaving machine 14. In thespace in the storage bin between the blocks 31 and 34 are disposed apair of plastic guide blocks 36 and 37. The block 36 abuts the block 31and the block 37 abuts the guide block 34.l Suflcient space is providedbetween each of the blocks 36 and 37 to permit the passage of the louverwire 20 and theends of the blocks 36 and 37 providing the passage forthe rlouver wire 20 are both rounded off to prevent the formation ofpermanent bends in the louver wire 20. The space in the storage bin 12defined by the blocks 31, 36, 37 and 35 permits a certain freedom ofmovement of the louver wire 20 and it has been found that this space isimportant inpreventing the formation of bends in the louver wire 20.

As has been stated heretofore, the feed rolls 29 and 30 serve tointermittently advance the louver wire 20 into the weaving machine 14and accordingly, the louver wire 20`disposed between the guide block34and the one side of the storage bin 12 is alternately stationary andmoving. It has also been stated heretofore that the feedingandflattening rollers 18 function continuously to advance the louver wire20 into the storage bin 12. As will be obvious, whenever the louver wire20 is not being withdrawn from the storage bin 12 the feed rollers 18,in advancing the louver wire 20 intoV the bin 12, tend to cause a loop38 to be'formed in the wire 20. As is also apparent, the loop 38continuously increases in size as long as the feed rolls 29 and 30arestationary and due to the fact that the feed rolls 29 and 30 are capableof withdrawing the louver wire 20 at a much greater rate than the feedrolls 18 are capable of feeding the louver Wire 20 into the storage bin12, the loop 38 decreases very rapidly in size. When the loop 38 is of asize which permits it to touch the contact plate 23 or get very close tothe contact plate 23 before the feed rollers 29 and 30 start to withdrawthe louver wire 20 the optimum operating conditions prevail as there isthen an adequate supply of louver wire in the loop 38 to satisfy therequirements of the rollers 29 and 30 and the weaving machine 14 withoutcausing the loop 38 to' be drawn down to such a small loop that it willbe drawn tightly around the corners of the blocks 31', 36 and 34., Itwill also be seen that if the louver wire 20 is fed into the storage bin12 at too great' a rate then there will be too much wire in the storagebin 12 to be usedby the weaving machine 14 and a large number of loopswill form in the storage bin. As the loops which form in the bin 12increase in number, the louver wire 20 is compressed and permanent bendsare formed therein. Since a single loopy38 Vof louver wire 20, of asufficient sizeto approximately ll the storage bin 12, that is, engagethe contact plate 23, is sufiicient to satisfy the requirementsof theweaving ma` chine for each operation of the feed rolls 29 and 30, it isdesirable to operate thefeed rolls 18 at a speed which is sufficient toform a loop of this size between successive operations of the feedIrolls 29 and l30. Accordingly, it

would; be desirable to have `the` feed rollsk18, operate at` a constantrate of speed, which rate` of speed is the exact` rate required toforrnV a` single loop 38 in the storage bin 12 which substantiallyengages the contact plate 23. Due to a number of reasons, among which isthe fact that it is impractical to attempt to have the feed rolls 18driven at such an invariable rate of speed,` the present inventioncontemplates the provisionV of means` for driving the feed` rolls 18V ata` high rate` of speed and a low rate of speed. When the rolls 18 aredriven at their high rate of speed,` they are capable of supplying a`slightly greater quantity of louver wire 20 than is needed bythe weavingmachine 14. When the feed rolls 18 are driven` at their low rate ofspeed they are capable of supplying a quantity of louver wire 20` whichis slightly less than the requirements of the weaving machine 14n.` Thepresent invention therefore provides means for causing the feed rolls 18to be driven at their high rate of speed when the loop 3,8` of louver`wire; 20 is too small` to engage the contact plate12 3 and to drive thefeed rolls 18 at their low rate of speed for so loing as they aresupplying a loop` 38 oflouver wire 20,I which engages the contact plate23;

The means for causing the feedj rolls` 18 to be driven at their high ortheir low rate of speed will now be de scribed. The drive mechanism fordriving the, rolls 18 comprises an electric motor 38 having a variablediameter pulley 39 suitably axed to its` shaft, and a belt 40, isprovided for transmitting the drive from thepulley 39 to the pulley 17which is connected through suitable gearing (not shown) for driving therolls 18. The variable diameter pulley 39 comprises two sections 41 and42, both of the sections being rotatably fixed to the motor shaft 43 andthe section 41 being longitudinally fixed to the motor shaft while thesection 42.l is longitudinally slidable on the shaft. Suitably fixed tothe end of the motor shaft 43 is a cylindrical cap 44, and a compressionspring 45 disposed around the motor shaft 43 abuts the cap 44 and iscontinuously effective to urge the pulley section 42 toward the pulleysection 41. It will be noted that the pulley sections 41 and 42 arerespectively provided with conical surfaces 41a` and 42a which are en-`gaged by the belt 40. As the sections 42 and 41,y are moved closertogether or farther apart the effective diameter of the pulley 39 ischanged.

It can beassumed that the belt 4i) is non-elastic and that the strengthof the compression spring` 45 is sufiicient to maintain the belt 4()`under suicient tension to at all times maintain the` necessaryfrictionall contact between the belt 40 and the conical surfaces 41a and42a to enable the` motor to drive the pulley 17. Therefore, in order tochange the effective diameter of the pulley 39 it is only necessary tomove the motor 38 toward or away from the pulley 17 within the limitsafforded by the radial dimensions of the pulley sections 41 and 42.Thus, when the motor 38 is moved downwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 or 3,the compression spring 45 is further compressed and the effectivediameter of the pulley 39 is decreased so that the driving ratio betweenthe motor shaft 43 and the rolls 18 will be` a low speed ratio. If themotor 38 is moved upwardly relative to the pulley 17 the compressionspring 45 expands, the belt 40 engaging the conical surfaces 41a and 42aalong lines defined by greater radii `from the center of rotation of themotor shaft 43 and the effective diameter of the pulley 39 -is increasedso that there will be a high speed driving ratio between the motor shaft43 and the rolls 18.

The mechanism for reciprocating the motor 38 toward and away from thepulley 17 so as to` vary the effective diameter of the variable diameterpulley 39` and thereby change the driving ratio between the pulley 39and the feed rolls 18 will now be described. The motor 38 is suitablysecured, as by bolts 46, toa base plate 4.7. A` frame member 48 issuitably securedV to the main frame 16` and a guide block 49 is rigidlybolted, to the frame member 48. 'lihe guide` block 49l is provided`with. a pair of dovetail grooves 50 for receiving corresponding dovetailprojections 51 on` the base plate 47. The dovetail projections 51` areslidable in the dovetail grooves 50 in order to permit reciprocation ofthe motor 38. toward and away from the pulley 17. A lug 52, integrally`secured tothe guide block 49 is formed with a projection 53 having anaperture 54 extending therethrough. A long threaded adjusting bolt 55 isthreaded through the base plate 47 and has a non-threaded portion 56.which passes through the aperture 54 in the projection 53. On the end.of the non-threaded portion 56` of the adjusting bolt 55 is a knob 57whichr is suitably secured to a link 58 pivotally connected to a bellcrank 59. The bell crank 59 is pivoted, as indicated at 6i), to a projection 61 secured to the frame member 48. The other end of the bell crank59 is suitably pivoted to a pistonl rod 62 of a fluid pressureresponsive motor 63.

The fluid pressure responsive motor 63` comprises aA cylinder 64suitably secured to the frame member 4.8 and reciprocable within thecylinder 64 is a piston 65' integral with or secured to the piston rod62. FluidY transmitting` conduits 66 and 67 are connected to thecylinder 64 at opposite ends thereof for transmitting fluid underpressure into or bleeding uid from the cylinder 64 so as to move thepiston 65 to either e-nd of the cylinder.

It is contemplated that any suitable fluid, such as air or oil, by wayof example only, when under pressure may be utilized for reciprocatingthe jpiston 65 to the left or to the right as viewed in either Fig. l or2. When, fluid under pressure is admitted into the cylinder 64 throughthe conduit 66, the piston 65 is moved to the right, thereby pivotingthe bell crank 59 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot point60 and lifting the bolt 55 and motor 38. When the motor is lifted inthis manner, the compression spr-ing 45 functions to compress the pulleysection 42 toward the pulley section 41 thereby increasing the effectivediameter of the variable diameter pulley 39 and, in turn, increasing thedriving ratio between the pulley 39 and the louver wire feed rolls 18.When fluid under pressure is admitted'` into the cylinder 64 through theconduit 67, the piston 65 is moved to the left, thereby causing the bellcrank 59 to pivot in a` clockwise direction about its pivot point 60and, in` turn, causing the motor 38 to be lowered. This causes thecompression spring 45 to be further compressed and the sections 41 and42 to be spread apart relative to each other so as to decrease, theeffective diameter of the variable diameter driving pulley 39. Thedriving ratio between` the pulley 39 and the f eed rolls 18 iscorrespondingly decreased under these conditions.

Any suitable valve may be utilized for controlling the supply of fluidpressure to the cylinder 64 through the conduits 66 and 67V andaccordingly no specific disclosure of the valve has been made herein. Aschematic showing of a valve which may be utilized for control'- lingthe,` fluid pressure supplied to the cylinder 64 is indicated generallyby reference numeral 68 and comprises a valve housing 69 having` apressure inlet conduit 70, a bleed conduit 71` and suitable portscommunicating respectively with the conduits 66 and 67. The valve itselfis represented by reference numeral 72 and is normally biased to theright by a tension spring 73, snitably secured at` its other end to astationary member, andthe valve may be moved to the left by energizing avalve solenoid 74 by the passage of electric current therethrough. Whenthe solenoid 74 is energized,I the valve 72 is `moved to the leftagainst the bias of the spring 73 and this causes communication to beestablished between` the fluid` pressure inlet conduit 70 and theconduit 66, thereby causing fluid pressure to be appliedto` the left`face of the piston 65 so as to cause the piston. to be moved totheright,` thereby lifting the motor 38 and establishing the high speeddriving ratio between the pulley 39 and the driving feed rolls 18, so asto advance the louver wire 20 into the storage bin 12 at its high feedrate. Under this condition, communication is established between theconduit 67 and the bleed conduit`71 so that the fluid on the right sideof the piston 65 in the cylinder 64 is bled out through the conduits 67and 71. When the solenoid 74 is deenergized, the tension spring 73 iseffective to move the valve 72 to the right, thereby establishing uidpressure communication between the conduit 70 and the conduit 67.Simultaneously, communication is established between the conduit 66 andthe conduit 71. At this time uid is bled from the left end of thecylinder 64 through the conduits 66 and 71 and uid under pressure isapplied` to the right end of the cylinder 64 through the pressure inletconduit 70 and the conduit 67 so as to move the piston 65 to the left,thereby lowering the motor and decreasing the effective diameter of thevariable diameter pulley 39. This causes the low speed driving ratio tobe established between the variable diameter pulley 39 and the feedrolls 18 so that the louver wire 20 is fed into the storage bin 12 atits' low feed rate.

The means for controlling the operation of the valve 68 so as to in turncontrol the rate at which the louver Wire 20 is fed into the storage bin12, will now be described. A pair of electric power transmitting lines75 and 76 provide a suitable source of alternating current forenergizing the primary winding 77 of a combined transformer andrectifier, indicated schematically by reference numeral 78. The combinedtransformer and rectifier 78 also includes three secondary windings 79,80 and 81, as well as rectifying tube 82, the cathode 83 of which isconnected to the ends of the secondary winding 81 and the plates 83a ofwhich are respectively connected with the ends of the secondary winding79. The rectifying tube 82 and the secondary windings 79 and 81 functionin a well-known manner to provide a suitable source of direct currentfor a pair of leads 84 and 85.

The control circuit for controlling the operation of the valve 68 alsoincludes a sensing relay 86 which is energized and deenergizedrespectively in accordance with the quantity of louver wire 20 in thestorage bin 12. The control circuit also includes a low speed relay 87,a high speed relay 88, a high speed indicator light 89 and a low speedindicator light 90.

The sensing relay 86 comprises a winding 91, and a stationary contact92, together with a movable contact 93, comprise a sensing switch whichis closed whenever the winding 91 of the sensing relay 86 is energized.The housing 15 for` the gearing for driving the feed rolls 18 isgrounded as indicated at 94 and when the loop 38 of the louver wire 20engages the contact plate 23 an electrical circuit for energizing thewinding 91 of the sensing relay 86 is completed and this circuit extendsfrom the ground 94, through the flattening and feeding mechanism 10,through the louver wire loop 38, through the'contact plate 23, through alead 95, through the winding 91 of the relay 86, through a lead 96,through the secondary winding 80 which provides a source of alternatingcurrent and through a lead 97 to. ground 98. Thus, it is apparent thatthe sensing switch comprising the contacts 92 and 93 is closed wheneverthe louver wire loop 38 engages the contact plate 23 and open wheneverthe louver wire loop 38 is disengaged from the contact plate 23.

The low speed relay 87 comprises a winding 99, the ends of which arerespectively connected with leads 100 and 101. A condenser 102 bridgesthe leads 100 and 101 and a pair of contacts 103 and 104 arealsoincluded in the relay 87. Whenever the winding 99 of the low speedrelay V87 is deenergized the movable contact`103 engages the stationarycontact 104 and upon energization of the winding 99, the contact 103 ispulled up'so as to break the connection betweenthe contact 103 and thecontact 104. Whenever the sensing switch comprising the contacts 92 and93 is closed, an energizing circuit is established for the low speedrelay 99 and this circuit extends from the lead 84, through the lead101,through the winding 99 of the low speed relay 87, through the lead 100,through the sensing switch comprising the contacts 92 and 93, through alead 105 to the lead 85. Also, when the energizing circuit for thewindingy 99 is completed, a circuit is also established for charging thecondenser 102. The condenser 102 functions, upon the opening ofthe'sensing switch comprising contacts 92 and 93, to maintain thewinding 99 of the low speed relay 87 energized forwa 'predetermined timeinterval thereafter so that the contacts 103 and 104 are not immediatelyclosed upon an opening of the sensing switch. A

The high speed relay 88 comprises a winding 106 having its endsrespectively connected with a lead 107 and with a lead 108. The lead 107is connected with the lead 84 and the lead 108 is connected with thestationary contact 104 of the relay 87. When the relay 99 is deenergizedits movable contact 103 engages its stationary contact 104 and anenergizing circuit is established for the winding 106 of the high speedrelay 88, which circuit extends from the lead 84, through the lead 107,through the winding 106 of the relay 88, through the lead 108. throughthe closed contacts 104 and 103 of the relay 87 and through a lead 109to the lead 85. The high speed relay 88 also includes a condenser 110for delaying the deenergization of the winding 106 after the Contact 103is opened from its associated contact 104. As is obvious, the condenser110 bridges the lead 107 and 108 and is connected in parallel with thewinding 106. The high speed relay 88 also includes a pair of stationaryVcontacts 111 and 112 and a movable contact 113. When the winding 106 isenergized the movable contact 113 is pulled up to engage the stationarycontact 111 to thereby complete an energizing circuit for the valvesolenoid 7 4, which circuit extends from` the line 76, over a lead 114,through the closed contacts 113 and 111, through a lead 115, through thewinding of the solenoid 74, and through a lead 116 to the line 75. Anenergizing circuit is also established whenever the solenoid 74 isenergized, for illuminating the high speed indicator light 89 and thiscircuit extends from the lead through the high speed indicator light 89and through a lead 117 to the lead 116.

When the high speed'relay 106 is deenergized its movable contact 113falls back into engagement with the stationary contact 112 and acircuitis established for illuminating the low speed indicator light 90.This circuit extends from the line 76, through the lead 114, through theclosed contacts 113 and 112, through a lead 118, through the low speedindicator light 90, through the lead 117 and through the lead 116 to theline 75.y

The operation of the control circuit and the mechanism for correlatingthe rate at which the louver wire 20 is fed into the storage bin 12 inaccordance with the amount of louver wire in the bin will now bedescribed. When the louver wire loop 38 is too small to engage thecontact plate 23, the sensing relay 86 is deenergized and the sensingswitch comprising contacts 92 and 93 is open. At this time vthe winding99 of the low speed relay 87 is deenergized and its movable contact 103is engaged With the stationary contact 104. When the contacts 103 and104 are closed, an energizing circuit is established for the high speedrelay 106, thereby causing the movable contacts 113 to be engaged withthe stationary contact 111. This completes an energizing circuit for thevalve solenoid 74 and for the high speed indicator light 89. When thevalve solenoid 74 is energized the valve 72 is moved tothe left toconnect the conduit 70 with the conduit 66 and the conduitl 67 withtheconduit 71. Fluid under pressure is thereby admitted into the leftend of the cylinder 64 behind the pistor`165Y `and iluid is bled fromthe right end of the piston 64.

The piston 65 thereby moves to the right and causes the motor 38 to bemoved to its upper position so as to allow the effective diameter of theVariable diameter driving pulley 39 to be enlarged. This causes theattening and feeding rolls 18 to be driven at theirhigh feed rate so asto feed the louver wire 20 into the storage bin 12 at a` high rate ofspeed.

As long as the louver wire 20 continues to be fed into the storage bin12 at the high feed rate the supply of louver wire 20 in the storage bin12 between each intermittent withdrawal thereof by the feed rolls 29and; 30

increases. `Under these conditions the input rate exceeds` the overallwithdrawal rate ofthe louver wire by the feed rolls 29 and30.Consequently, the size of thelouver loop 38 immediately preceding thewithdrawal` ofthe louver wire 20 by` the intermittent operation of thefeed rolls 29 and` 30, eventually increases until the loop 38 engagesthe contact plate 23. Uponthe engagement of the loop 38.with the contactplate 23the winding 91 of the sensing relay 86 is energized and thesensing switch comprising `the contacts 92 and 93 is closed. The closureof the sensingnrswitch completes an energizing circuit` for the lowspeed relay winding 99 and a circuit for charging the condenser 102.During the condition when the feed rolls` 29 and 30 begin to` withdrawthe louver wire] 20 from the storage bin 12 almost immediately after theloop 38,y engages the contact.` plate 23, the energizing circuit for thesensing relay 91 is completed only momentarily and the sensing switchcomprising thel contacts 92 and 93` is closed only momentarily.Momentary closure` ot thesensing` switch is insufficient `to enable thecondenser 102` to become charged, and, accordingly, ask soon as thesensing switch opens,` or at, least, very soon thereafter,

the winding 99 of the low `speed relay 87 becomes de.

energizedand its movable contact .is` disengaged from its stationarycontact 104 for a very short interval of time.` Because of the factthat. the contact 1,03 reengages the contact; 104 before the condenser11,0` has been cornpletely` discharged, the Winding` 106 of the high`speed relay 88,y is not actually deenergized and the movable contact`113 is maintained in its` up` position in engage ment with the contact111 so as to, continue tomaintain the valve solenoid 74` in its`energized condition. This, in` turn, causes the louver wire 20 tocontinueto be fed 'at-the high` feed` rate.

When the high feed rate of the louver wire prevails for a considerableperiod of time, the loop 38. contacts` the contact plate 23 for arelatively long` interval before the louver wire is withdrawn by thefeed rolls `29 and 30. Under these conditions, the sensing relay 91remains energized and the sensing'switchl comprising the contacts 92 and93 remainsA closed for a sufficient duration to fullycharge thecondenser 102 and fully energize the winding 99 of the low` speed relay87. At this time, thev contact 103 i-s pulledup to break itsAelectrical` connection with the,` contact 104 and the energizing circuitforthewinding 1,06. of the high speed relay 88 is broken., The condenser110 which` bridges the leads107 and 108 discharges,` maintaining thewinding 106 energized for a short period of time, however, if thecontact L03 is held disengaged` from, the` contact 104 for a sufficientinterval,`the condenser 110 completely discharges andthe movable contact113 falls into engagement with the stationary contact 112. Thebreakingof the electrical connection between the movable contact 113 andthe1 stationary contact 111 causes deenergization of the valve solenoid,74 and the spring 73 is effective to move the valve 72 to the right,A inwhich position the fluid pressure input conduit 70 is `connected with;the conduit 67 and the iiuidpressure` bleed conduit` 71 is connectedwith the conduit` 66. At this time, fluid under pressure is admittedinto` the cylinder A64 decreasing the effective diameter of, the drivingpulley 39.` This causes a change` in thedriving ratio between-` thepulley 39and the feed rolls 18 so that the louver wire 20 is thereafterfed into the storage bin 12 at its low feed rate.

The louver wire 20v is fed intothe storage bin 12 at` the low feed rateuntil the duration of the periods` of; contact between the loop 38 andthe contact plate 23. is sufliciently -short to enable the condenser 102to completely discharge between successive closures of the sensingswitch comprising the contacts 92 and 93. As the periods ofdeenergization of the low speed relay winding 99 become successivelylonger due to the fact that` the louver wire loop 38 engages the contactplate 23 for shorter and shorter intervals of time between successivewithdrawals of the louver wire by the feed rolls 29 and 30, theenergizing circuit for the winding 106 of the high speed relay 88 iscompleted for longer intervals. When the intervals, while the winding106 is energized, become suflciently long to fully charge the condenser110, the relay winding 106 is able to exert sufficient magneticattraction to pull up the4 contacts 113 and thereby again complete theenergizingcircuit for the valve solenoid 74. At such time as the valvesolenoid 74 is again energized, the tiuid pressure circuit for raisingthe motor is established and the high feed rate for the louver wire isagain established.

Due to the fact that considerable force is required to raise the motor38, it is undesirable that it be raised in order to change the feed rateof the louver wire to the high feed rate, or to be lowered in order tochange the feed rate to the low feed rate with each opening and closureof the sensing switch comprising contacts 92 andI 93. The condensers 102and 110 respectively associated with the low speed relay 87 and the highspeed relay 88 provide a certain amount of delay, which may be of theorder of two to three seconds, for preventing a change in the feed rateof the louver wire 20` until Stich time as the quantity of louver wirein the storage bin 12 definitely exceeds or is less than thatpredetermined quantity which is necessary in order toy have the loop 38just engage the contact plate 23 prior to withdrawal of the louver wirefrom the storage bin 12` by the feed rolls 29` and 30. By utilizing thecondensers 102 and 110 in the manner in` which they are used herein,continuous reversals of movements of the valve 72 and consequent raisingand lowering of the motor 38 to effect changes in the effective diameterof the variable diameter pulley 39, take place only When such a changein the feed rate for the louver wire is definitely called for.

It will accordingly be apparent to those skilled in the art that thepresent invention provides a simple and ethcient device for controllingthe supply of wire maintained in a storage bin from which the wire isintermittently withdrawn. t is contemplated that numerous changes andmodications may be made in the invention without departing from4 thespirit and scope thereof.

What isclaimed is:

l. ln a device for controlling the supply of wire Innintained in astorage bin, feeding means for feeding the wire into the bin` either ata high rate or a low rate, means for intermittently withdrawing saidwire from the bin and an electrical circuit including a wire sensingswitch adapted to close when the quantity of wire in the bin exceeds apredetermined amount and adapted to open when the quantity of wire inthe bin is less than said predetermined amount, said withdrawing meansupon each intermittent operation thereof being effective to withdraw thewire from the bin at a substantially greater rate than either rate atwhich said feeding means feeds the wire into the bin whereby -said wirealternately effects opening andl closure of said4 sensing switch uponeach intermittent withdrawal of wire from Said bin, said electricalcircuit being effective to control said feeding means so as to effectthe high wire feed rate in response to an opening of said sensing switchand the low wire feed rate in response to a closure of said sensingswitch, said electrical circuit including means for delaying changes inthe rate the wire is fed into the bin by said feeding means for apredetermined interval of time after said wire sensing switch changesits condition from closed to open or vice versa.

2. In a device for controlling the supply of wire maintained in a.storage bin, feeding means for feeding the wire into the bin either ata high rate or a low rate, means operable for intermittently withdrawingsaid wire from said bin at a rate substantially in excess of either saidhigh or low feed rate and an electrical circuit including a wire sensingswitch adapted to close when the quantity of wire inthe bin exceeds apredetermined amount and adapted to open when the quantity of wire inthe bin is less than saidv predetermined amount, the quantity of ywirein the bin successively exceeding and being less than Said predeterminedamount upon each intermittent withdrawal thereof from said bin such thatsaid sensing switch is alternately closed and opened, said electricalcircuit including a pair of relays operable respectively upon theclosure and opening of said wire Sensing switch to control .said feedingmeans so as to effect the low wire feed rate and the high wire feedrate, said electrical circuit also including a pair of condensersrespectively associated with said relays for delaying the operationthereof for predetermined time intervals after the conditions of saidwire sensing switch changes from closed to open or vice versa, wherebythe wire is fed into the bin at said low rate for so long as thequantityof wire in the bin exceeds said predetermined amount for intervals,between said successive withdrawals, exceeding predetermined periods oftime and at said high rate when the quantity of wire in the bin exceedssaid predetermined amount for intervals, bctween successive withdrawals,of less than said predetermined periods of time.

3. In a device for controlling the supply of an electrical conductormaintained in a storage bin, means for feeding the conductor yinto thebin either at a high rate or a low rate, means for intermittentlywithdrawing the conductor from the bin, the feeding means beingelectrically grounded and the bin having an insulated electricalconducting plate disposed therein, a relay connected in series with saidplate, the conductor when fed into the bin forming a loop which becomeslarger as the quantity of the conductor in therbin increases and theconductor engaging said plate to complete an energizing circuit for saidrelay when said loop increases to a size corresponding to apredetermined quantity of the conductor in the bin, Said withdrawingmeans, during each intermittent operation thereof, being effective towithdraw the wire from the bin at a substantially greater rate than therate at which the feeding means feeds the wire into the bin whereby saidloop of wire alternately is engaged with and disengaged from said plate,means rendered effective only after said relay remains energized for apredetermined time interval as a result of said conductor being inengagement with said plate for said interval for changing the rate atwhich the conductor is fed into the bin from said high rate to said lowrate, and othermeans rendered effective only after said relay remainsdeenergized for a predetermined time interval as a result of saidconductor being disengaged from said plate for said last-named intervalfor changing the rate at which the conductor is fed into the bin 4fromsaid low rate to said high rate.

4. In a device for controlling the supply of an electrical conductormaintained in a storage bin, means for feeding the conductor'into thebin either at a high rate or at a low rate, means for intermittentlywithdrawing the wire from said bin at a rate substantially in excess ofeither said high'or said'low feed rate, the feeding means beingelectrically grounded and the bin having an insulated elec-y tricalconducting plate disposed therein, a relay connected in series with saidplate, the conductor when fed into the bin forming a loop which becomeslarger as the quantity of the conductor in the bin increases and theconductor engaging said plate to complete an energizing circuit for saidrelay when said loop increases to a size corresponding to apredeterminedquantity of the conductor in the bin, said loop successively engagingand disengaging said plate upon each intermittent withdrawal of theconductor from said bin, a pair of contacts controlled by said relayadapted to close upon energization and open upon deener gization of saidrelay, a second relay connected in series with said pair of contacts andenergized when said pair of contacts is closed, a condenser connected inseries with said pair of contacts and in parallel with said second relayand adapted to discharge and maintain said second relay energized for apredetermined time interval after the opening of said pair of contacts,a second pair of contacts controlled by said second relay and adapted toclose upon deenergization and open upon energization of said secondrelay, and means connected in series with said` second pair of contactsand effective in accordance with the open or closed condition thereoffor respectively causing said feeding means to feed the conductor intothe bin at either said low rate or said high rate.

5. In a device for controlling the supply of an electrical conductormaintained in a storage bin, means for feeding the conductor into thebin either at a high rate or a low rate, means for intermittentlywithdrawing the wire from said bin at a rate substantially in excess ofeither said high or said low feed rate, the feeding means beingelectrically grounded and the bin having an insulated electricalconducting plate disposed therein, a relay connected in series with saidplate, the conductor when fed into the bin forming a loop which becomeslarger as the quantity of the conductor in the bin increases and theconductor engaging said plate to complete an energizing circuit for saidrelay when said loop increases to a size corresponding to apredetermined quantity of the conductor in the bin, said loopsuccessively engaging and disengaging Said plate upon each intermittentwithdrawal of the conductor yfrom said bin, a pair of contactscontrolled by said relay and adapted to close upon energization and openupon deenergization of said relay, a second relay connected in Serieswith said pair of contacts and energized when said pair of contacts isclosed, a condenser connected in series with said second relay andadapted to discharge and maintain said second relay energized for apredetermined time interval after the opening of said pair of contacts,a second pair of contacts controlled by said second relay and adapted toclose upon deenergization and open upon energization of said secondrelay, a third relay connected in series with said second pair ofcontacts and energized when said second pair of contacts is closed, acondenser also connected in series with Said second pair of contacts andadapted to discharge and maintain said third relayl energized for akpredetermined time interval after the opening of said second pair ofcontacts, and means effective upon the energization or deenergization ofsaid third relay for causing said feeding means to feed the conductor4at said high rate or said low rate.

References Cited in the file of this patent t `UNITED STATES PATENTS1,827,349 Bing Oct. 13, 1931 2,043,354 Mallina June 9, 1936 2,139,482Atz Dec. 6, 1938 2,147,467 Stephenson Feb. 14, 1939 2,277,514 Elser Mar.24, 1942 2,295,161l Clay a Sept. 8, 1942 2,295,327 Bendz Sept. 8, 19422,393,015 'A `Bendz ..--5 a Ian. 15, 1946 2,480,781 Simpson Aug. 30,1949

